Reservoir
PUP Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Took a path to the top of the mountain
You walk forever just to meet me at the reservoir
Outta luck, outta money
Take yer clothes off, meet me at the reservoir

Meet me at the reservoir [x2]

I guess you live and you learn
I guess you’ll get what you deserve

You’re on your own
I’m letting go at the reservoir
You’re sinking like a stone
We had it all and it fell apart

You only want it when you’re bored with the quarry
I only want it when I’m wasted at the reservoir
Outta touch, outta loving
The engines running and I’m wasted at the reservoir

My lungs are killing me, I didn’t even get high
Forget longevity, we’re just tryna get by
It isn’t apathy, I just don’t care if I die
My lungs are killing me, I didn’t even get high

You’re on your own
I’m letting go at the reservoir
You’re sinking like a stone
We had it all and it fell apart
What did you expect?
At the reservoir, you’re sinking like a stone
And I’m letting go

It’s never pleasure, it’s always work

Meet me at the reservoir [x2]

I guess you live and you learn
I guess you’ll get what you deserve

You’re on your own
I’m letting go at the reservoir
You’re sinking like a stone
We had it all and it fell apart
What did you expect?
At the reservoir, you’re sinking like a stone




I’m letting go
I will stay afloat

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to PUP's song "Reservoir" can be interpreted in various ways, but the overarching theme seems to be about a dysfunctional relationship that has fallen apart. The song starts with the singer asking the other person to meet them at the reservoir, and it is clear that they had to climb a mountain to get there. This could symbolize that the relationship was hard work and required effort to maintain. The line "outta luck, outta money" suggests that perhaps they were struggling financially too, which could have put pressure on the relationship. However, the line "take yer clothes off" immediately follows, which could imply that physical intimacy was used as a way to escape their problems temporarily.


The further we get into the song, the more we realize that this relationship is toxic. The singer says "you only want it when you're bored with the quarry," suggesting that the other person only craves their attention when they're not getting it elsewhere. The line "my lungs are killing me, I didn't even get high" could be interpreted literally or figuratively. It could mean that they're engaging in harmful activities like smoking, or it could be a metaphor for the relationship draining them.


The chorus repeats twice in the song, and it's a reminder that the two people are not on the same page. The singer is "letting go at the reservoir" while the other person is "sinking like a stone." They "had it all and it fell apart," which could lead one to believe that there was potential for a healthy relationship at one point, but that it didn't work out. The line "it's never pleasure, it's always work" reinforces that idea.


In summary, "Reservoir" seems to be a cautionary tale about being in a relationship that drains you. The imagery suggests that maintaining the relationship is exhausting and feels like hard work. The physical activities, like climbing a mountain and swimming in a reservoir, are not enjoyable, but instead are used as a way to escape the problems in the relationship temporarily. Ultimately, the two people are on different paths and cannot sustain a healthy relationship.


Line by Line Meaning

Took a path to the top of the mountain
I made a difficult journey to get to where I am now.


You walk forever just to meet me at the reservoir
You went through a lot of effort just to see me here at the reservoir.


Outta luck, outta money
I'm unfortunate and broke.


Take yer clothes off, meet me at the reservoir
Take off your clothes and come meet me at the reservoir.


Meet me at the reservoir [x2]
I really want you to join me at the reservoir.


I guess you live and you learn
I think people gain wisdom through experience.


I guess you’ll get what you deserve
You'll receive what you have coming to you.


You’re on your own
You're alone and don't have my help.


I’m letting go at the reservoir
I'm giving up and distancing myself from you at the reservoir.


You’re sinking like a stone
You're failing and falling fast.


We had it all and it fell apart
We had everything, but it fell to pieces.


You only want it when you’re bored with the quarry
You're only interested in this when you're tired of what you already have.


I only want it when I’m wasted at the reservoir
I'm only interested in this when I'm drinking at the reservoir.


Outta touch, outta loving
I'm disconnected and lacking love.


The engines running and I’m wasted at the reservoir
The vehicle is working and I'm drunk at the reservoir.


My lungs are killing me, I didn’t even get high
I'm having trouble breathing and I didn't even feel the effects of the drugs.


Forget longevity, we’re just tryna get by
We're not focused on a long life, just getting through each day.


It isn’t apathy, I just don’t care if I die
It's not that I don't care, I just don't fear death.


What did you expect?
What outcome did you anticipate?


At the reservoir, you’re sinking like a stone
Here at the reservoir, you're losing quickly.


And I’m letting go
I'm releasing my hold on you.


It’s never pleasure, it’s always work
This is never about enjoyment, it's always a chore.


I will stay afloat
I'll keep myself above water.




Contributed by Isaiah A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@baconsensation4044

Took a path to the top of the mountain
You walk forever just to meet me at the reservoir
Outta luck, outta money
Take your clothes off, meet me at the reservoir
Meet me at the reservoir!
Meet me at the reservoir!

I guess you live and you learn
I guess you'll get what you deserve

You're on your own
I’m letting go at the reservoir
You're sinking like a stone
We had it all and it fell apart

You only want it when you're bored with the quarry
I only want it when I'm wasted at the reservoir
Outta touch, outta loving
The engines running and I'm wasted at the reservoir

My lungs are killing me, I didn't even get high
Forget longevity, we're just trying to get by
It isn't apathy, I just don't care if I die
My lungs are killing me, I didn't even get high

You’re on your own
I’m letting go at the reservoir
You're sinking like a stone
We had it all and it fell apart
What did you expect?
At the reservoir
You're sinking like a stone
I’m letting go!

It’s never pleasure, it’s always work

Meet me at the reservoir!
Meet me at the reservoir!

I guess you lived and you learned
I guess you’ll get what you deserve!

You’re on your own
I’m letting go at the reservoir
You’re sinking like a stone
We had it all and it fell apart
What did you expect?
At the reservoir
You’re sinking like a stone
I’m letting go, I will stay afloat!



All comments from YouTube:

@FloggingMicah

This band is so ridiculously good. This record is perfect.

@sampiper9043

I discovered this record last month and it's unreal

@chicagolikethecity

This will forever be one of my favorite music videos.

@kittygoesWOOF

liking only bc you chose Chicago for your SN

@epic886

This music video encapsulates the band so well its insane, immediately from the start shit starts to hit the fan, and it just gets more and more chaotic and loud, and they still keep on going, even while everything is breaking down.

@jendeath9051

I heard this song on the radio last night and was shocked at how good it was. Then I got sad because of all the good music out there that I have yet to hear...

@tarttooth6022

+Jeanette Lopez It should make you happy there is so much good music to discover! Listen to the Flatliners if you haven't already. My favorite song from them is Run Like Hell.

@jendeath9051

+TartTooth It's a little of both I guess. :) I've listened to Flatliners a little. I really loved the song This Respirator!

@probablylondon5335

Jeanette Lopez now I'm sad

@riverkoritko4411

just saw these guys today. if you think the pics and videos make the shows look crazy it is 100× anythin you could ever imagine. incredible live, incredible crowd, incredible songs, incredible writing, i just live everything about this band and the concert jyst made everything i loved about them amplified to an unpredictable level

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